George Roberts was born on May 7, 1826, in Camden Town, London, United Kingdom.[1] He emigrated to Canada in 1854 and worked for two years at Peto, Prassey & Co., building railways for the Grand Trunk Railway Company. [2] In 1856, he founded his own carpentry, joinery, cabinetmaking, house painting, and plastering business, setting up shop in a warehouse at 597 De la Gauchetière Street in Montreal.[2] During the life of his business, he sometimes employed more than 100 employees specializing in woodworking.[3][4] His three sons, George Nelson, John James, and Edward Melbourne Roberts, gradually integrated the management of the company.[4] He died in Montreal on August 26, 1899, almost a month after the death of his wife.[5][2]
The company
George Roberts' company specializes primarily in all types of woodworking. It carries out all structural work for a building, as well as all ornamental wood carving, joinery, and cabinetmaking. In terms of cabinetmaking and joinery, it custom-makes all utilitarian wooden furniture incorporated into a building: bookcases or shelves, display units, fireplace mantels, doors and windows, floors, etc. It also carries out all woodwork intended for ornamental purposes: columns, coffered ceilings, paneling, etc. Several types of wood are worked, including oak, cherry, pine, and mahogany.[4]
Work
Staircase newel by George Roberts (circa 1862) for Ravenscrag mansion in Montreal, preserved at the MUMAQ - Musée des métiers d'art du Québec
Also, according to an article published on December 6, 1902 in the Montreal Witness, George Roberts's firm carried out several works in "a large number of private residences on Sherbrooke, Drummond, etc." streets in Montreal.[4]
↑ "Deaths. Eliza Augustine Styles Roberts". The Herald (Newspaper). Vol.92, no.172 (The Herald Companyed.). Montreal (Qc), Canada. July 24, 1899. p.3.
Sources
Notorial Acts
Notarial deed in minute, min. no. 4545, October 4, 1858, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and A. & S. Nordheimer”, Notary: James Smith, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. no. 4961, March 1, 1859, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and A. Jones (?) (?)”, Notary: James Smith, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. no. 5168, April 16, 1859, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and Mosely et al.”, Notary: James Smith, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. No. 5433, July 1, 1859, “Alexander Ramsay & Son to George Roberts: Protest”, Notary: James Smith, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. No. 13750, April 21, 1860, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and the Honorable John Hamilton”, Notary: James Stewart Hunter, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. No. 13797, April 30, 1860, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and W. Kay”, Notary: James Stewart Hunter, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. No. 6779, June 23, 1860, “Contract and agreement between Mr. George Roberts and William Dow, Esquire”, Notary: James Smith, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. No. 6136, May 4, 1861, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and James Hutton”, Notary: James Stewart Hunter, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. No. 8136, July 30, 1861, “Contract and agreement between Mr. George Roberts and Hugh Allan, Esquire”, Notary: James Smith, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal (microfilm M-620.1506).
Notarial deed in minute, min. No. 6786, April 1, 1862, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and The Mount Royal Cemetery”, Notary: James Stewart Hunter, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. No. 9494, September 13, 1862, “Contract and agreement between Mr. George Roberts and Stark, Smith & Co.”, Notary: James Smith, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. No. 10765, July 16, 1863, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and John Featherston”, Notary: James Smith, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. No. 8878, August 31, 1863, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and D. Sutterland”, Notary: James Stewart Hunter, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. No. 8972, September 24, 1863, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and John Crawford”, Notary: James Stewart Hunter, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. No. 12153, June 6, 1864, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and Frederick Qeriken (?)”, Notary: James Smith, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. No. 10213, July 13, 1864, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and the Molson Bank”, Notary: James Stewart Hunter, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. No. 16789, March 19, 1867, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and Alexander McQheart (?)”, Notary: James Smith, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. No. 13750, April 21, 1868, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and the Honorable John Hamilton”, Notary: James Stewart Hunter, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. no. 13797, April 30, 1868, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and William Kay”, Notary: James Stewart Hunter, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. no. 14744, March 13, 1869, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and Hugh Allan”, Notary: James Stewart Hunter, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. no. 15026, May 28, 1869, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and the War Department”, Notary: James Stewart Hunter, Notary Registrars, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Collection, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Notarial deed in minute, min. no. 16783, May 1, 1871, “Contract and agreement between George Roberts and The Protestant House of Industry and Refuge of Montreal”, Notary: James Stewart Hunter, Notary Registries, Judicial District of Montreal, Superior Court Fund, National Archives of Quebec in Montreal.
Newspaper Articles
"New Buildings". Montreal Herald and Daily Commercial Gazette (Newspaper). Vol.57, no.303 (Robert Weired.). Montreal (Qc), Canada. December 21, 1865. p.1.
"Church of Scotland. Laying Corner Stone of St. Mark's Church". Montreal Herald and Daily Commercial Gazette (Newspaper). Vol.51, no.303 (Robert Weired.). Montreal (Qc), Canada. October 25, 1869. p.2.
"New Buildings. The new Warehouse and Factory on Craig Street". The Daily Witness (Newspaper). Vol.29, no.167 (John Dougalled.). Montreal (Qc), Canada. July 18, 1888. p.8.
"Deaths. Eliza Augustine Styles Roberts". The Herald (Newspaper). Vol.92, no.172 (The Herald Companyed.). Montreal (Qc), Canada. July 24, 1899. p.3.
"Death of Mr. George Roberts". The Herald (Newspaper). Vol.92, no.202 (The Herald Companyed.). Montreal (Qc), Canada. August 28, 1899. p.8.
"The Late Mr. Roberts". The Herald (Newspaper). Vol.92, no.204 (The Herald Companyed.). Montreal (Qc), Canada. August 30, 1899. p.3.
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